Stories of Us.

Reclaiming the Homestead Ch 2

I grit my teeth as Micah drives along the barely used road. A kaleidoscope of emotions churns within me and I am not sure what, or how I feel. All I am sure about is that there are two strays in my territory, my territory! Living here like they have a claim to the land! I feel my left leg start jumping; I want to be out of the car and racing back towards the house but I know Micah would never allow it. I feel Micah glance my way, but he makes no comment about my restlessness, then the car is past the clump of lantana and I have a clear view of the buildings. I see two figures half carrying, half dragging a smaller figure between them as they head away from the house towards the furtherest shed on the far side of the house.

"What the hell are they doing!" I hiss as I reach for the door handle.

"I don't know," Micah mutters beside me, sounding as puzzled and angry as I am at their activity. I fling the door open and head for them at a run the moment Micah slows the car, before he has slowed to a complete stop. The more slender of the two upright figures turns to face me, advancing several steps, while the older woman tries to drag the slumped form towards the sheds.

"What do you think you're doing with her?" I demand as I slow to a walk not far from them.

"Get in your car and go away! You're not welcome here!" The blonde teenager snarls defensively at me. I stop a moment as I eye her; she's about five foot six inches tall with a slender build. Her hair is white blonde and cut in a chin length bob, her eyes a startling light silvery blue-grey, thickly framed in make-up. She has creamy pale skin usually found in red-haired people and a faint scattering of very pale cream coloured freckles over her nose. I can smell her cat, she's young and scared and knows she is no match for me.

"I'm here whether you like it or not," I tell her coldly and stride forward. She hesitates for a second and that is all it takes for me to pass her and approach the other two. I take in the appearance of the woman, around forty to forty-five at a guess, but looking much older from the stress and exhaustion on her face. I look away from her to the young teenager she had been trying to drag.

"I need to get her to the shed," The woman says with a touch of desperation. I glance at her for a moment, there's no doubt about it, she's human. I turn my attention back to the girl, she would only be in her early teens and her face is flushed bright with fever. I see the tell tale signs of dehydration in the cracked lips and skin that looks paper dry. Unable to stop myself I squat next to her shuddering body and rest my hand on her forehead. The heat burning there worries me and I feel for the pulse in her neck.

"Leave my sister alone! Get away from her!" The blonde is yelling, but I pay her no attention as I glance at the mother.

"You don't understand," The woman says worriedly. "I need to get her to the shed."

"Your daughter needs her temperature brought down," I say as I straighten up.

"You don't understand," she insists and I tip my head to the side as I look at her, then glance at both of her daughters before meeting her eyes calmly.

"Werecats," I say gently but firmly. "Both of your daughters are werecats. The youngest one is very sick. Has she changed into a cat yet?"

"You don't know what you're talking about!" The blonde says hotly and I glance her way. She is in a near panic and clearly sees me as a threat.

"Lana! Stop it!" The woman snaps and I glance her way to see her looking at me apologetically.

"Your daughter needs fluids and to get her temperature down," I say calmly. "We can help ..."

"She has to go in the pen so none of our neighbours see her," The woman insists.

"The house is solidly built and has no large windows?" Micah asks as he approaches and I glance his way to see him darting glances at Lana.